Indoor Location Mapping and Wayfinding System

ABSTRACT

An Indoor location mapping and wayfinding system for mapping waypoints on an interactive mapping system that can function both indoors and outdoors based on user selections and location. It can include a shopping system that allows users to pre-select items for purchase, maps the items on an indoor map of the store, and provides a route to the user for the collection of the selected items.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is a system for mapping waypoints on aninteractive mapping system that can function both indoors and outdoorsbased on user selections and location. One example is a shopping systemthat allows users to pre-select items for purchase, maps the items on anindoor map of the store, and provides a route to the user for thecollection of the selected items.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/456,102.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable to this invention.

BACKGROUND

Shopping has long been a cornerstone of the United States economy and issomething that must be done, whether for entertainment or necessity.Though shopping has changed over the course of human history, currentlythree main shopping experiences exist. In store, online or catalogorders, with home delivery, or online purchase with in store pick up.

In store purchases require the customer to trek to the physical store,search for the desired items within the store, and then purchase thedesired items from a store clerk. This traditional in-store experiencehas high search costs, forcing the customer to actively pursue thedesired items in the store, which are often strategically placed bymerchants to require the customer to traverse a large portion of thestore. Forcing the consumer to remain in store increases the chancesthat the customer will make an impulse purchase. However, this leads toconsumers being be discouraged from visiting merchants that require theconsumer to traverse a large area when attempting to locate their items,because it requires a significant time and energy investment. Thein-store experience also involves merchant employees or salespersons,which many consumers find overly intrusive or inconvenient, which canruin an otherwise pleasant shopping experience. Finally, popularmerchants may experience periods of high consumer traffic (i.e. duringthe holidays), resulting in long wait times, store congestion, or a lackof stock of desired items.

To reduce queue sizes and reduce overhead, stores have implemented “selfcheck-out” kiosks, which allow a customer to scan and bag an itemthemselves, rather than having a clerk do so. However, thisinconveniences the customer by requiring them to act as a store clerk,and in many cases the customer cannot purchase desired items without aclerk's approval, which negates any time savings realized by checkingyourself out.

In contrast, online and mail order sales require the customer to searchthe internet or catalog for the needed items, and once purchased pay tohave the items are shipped to the customer's home. Online sales,however, suffer from a unique set of problems. In addition, the lack ofphysical items or accurate descriptions may result in the accidentalpurchase of incorrect or low quality items. This is compounded by theinability of customers to touch or test the item in person, which manyconsumers find beneficial in making a purchase. Lastly, the delay orcost associated with having the item shipped to the customer may beimpractical in some circumstances.

Online sales suffer from a unique set of additional problems as, theinternet hosts a considerable number of fraudulent websites, leaving thecustomer vulnerable to exploitation, unless they take arduous securityprecautions. Further, consumers shopping in an online store are notprovided with indications of merchant trustworthiness, such as storelocation, condition, or local reputation, which may result in shopperspurchasing from untrustworthy or fraudulent merchants. To address thisproblem, online retailers have created ratings systems, which reduce therisk of untrustworthiness or low quality, however the customer is stillnot able to test or fully view the item, and must wait for the productto be delivered.

The third method is a hybrid, with the purchase being made online, andthe item being received in store. In practice, this means that thecustomer must go to the store and contact the clerk at the appropriatedesk, if available, whereupon the item will be pulled from the shelf byan employee. While providing the benefit of allowing the user to perusethe store's stock from their own computer, the in-store pick up systemstill suffers from the inconvenience of having to wait for an employeeto locate all of the desired items from the shelves and the inabilityfor the customer to touch, see, or use the items before committing topurchase. Unless the customer peruses the store prior to the purchase,which would negate any time savings realized by purchasing online, thecustomer has no chance to personally investigate the items

In all three systems, advertising has become increasingly important,both to merchants and to customers. Traditionally, its function has beento alert customers to the availability of a product or service and toentice the customer into purchasing it. Advertising has many forms,including word of mouth, print, radio, television, or internetadvertising.

Word of mouth is likely the oldest type of advertising, and relies oncustomers telling other customers about the product and allowing this togenerate sales. Unfortunately, this type of advertising is slow andrelies on the goodwill of the customer, and is limited in scope.

In contrast, radio, print, and television advertising can reach a muchlarger audience more quickly, by disseminating an advertisement throughelectronic or printed publication. However, the publication must bechosen with care to ensure that the readership would be interested inthe advertised product. Being limited by this need to be target theaudience, effective advertising requires extensive research.

In contrast, internet advertising not only reaches a much largeraudience, it can be targeted much more easily. However, to achieve thistargeting internet users must be tracked and the data analyzed todetermine the relevant targeting characteristics. Constant monitoringraises not only privacy concerns, but can also require extensive dataanalysis to pick the few relevant factors from the swathes of datacollected.

After considering the current systems, the following system wasconceived to address the deficiencies of the current systems, withoutsacrificing any existing advantages. One object of the conceivedlocation system is to solve the issues associated with existing shoppingexperiences, including inconvenience, inaccuracy, and unavailability ofproducts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One feature of the present location system is the discovery that thecustomer's shopping experience can be made more convenient and less timeconsuming by allowing the customer to select the desired items onlineand by guiding them through the process of acquiring and purchasingtheir items using their mobile device of choice.

According to one embodiment of the present location system (or wayfaringsystem) is a method and apparatus for purchasing a product through amobile device (e.g. mobile telephones, mobile computer, tablet computer,smartwatch, laptop, Google Glass, and any other portable device with theability to convey information), and being directed to the product in thephysical world. Using this location system, buyers can add potentialpurchases to an online shopping cart via an application, a business'swebsite, or a third party website. The buyer can specify a particulargeographic store among a plurality of stores (e.g., a particular localWal-Mart). The system on the website or application then plots all ofthe items in the shopping cart onto the internal (i.e. indoor) map ofthe selected geographic location, thus enabling buyers to efficientlyplan their routes around the store, while simultaneously acquiringeverything on their list. Additionally, the system may be configured toautomatically generate an optimal route in order to retrieve all of theitems on the list, thereby saving the customer from having to plan aroute. The route planning may be extended to include directions to thestore, and then directions inside the store. The optimization may bebased on total distance, time, products selected, number of customers,and/or item type. The user may either add all of the items to a list ofitems that will be purchased at the register of the store, oralternatively may purchase the items online, pick them up using the mapin-store, and then present their electronic receipt in-store withoutpaying at the register. This enables users to pay with internet-onlyservices (e.g., Paypal, Bitcoin, or other equivalent electronic fundstransfer).

To further increase the time efficiency of the location system, it canbe configured to include clerkless checkout. By affixing a uniquewireless transmitter to each item or item type, the items in the user'spossession can be tracked. Upon nearing or reaching an exit, the itemsin the user's possession can be checked against the list of items. Ifany items are missing or if extra items are present, the user can benotified via their mobile device and/or be charged or credited, asrequired. Used this way the system eliminates the need for any physicalinteraction between the customer and the merchant.

As advertising has become an integral part of shopping, the locationsystem can be configured to include active advertising. Using thedescribed system, which tracks the user's current location, stores canuse digital displays in order to target shoppers as they walk by variousdisplays located in the store. Further, the merchants, by gatheringmultiple shoppers' habits over time, can then use the data to optimizethe layout of the items stocked in the store.

In addition to the items purchased, the shopper's overall path may beused to target advertisements both in-store and at a later time.In-store advertising may be performed on the user's mobile device, ormay be provided on displays located throughout the store. For example,if a user visits areas of the store that are not associated with theitems on their list (e.g., a health food or pharmacy section) but doesnot select an item from that section, the merchant may then sendadvertisements or coupons relating to health and wellness products tothe user. This type of targeted advertising will increase the likelihoodof an impulse purchase. Additionally, advertisers may pay the store,system provider, or third party with control over route optimization tomodify the user's route so that the user travels past the advertiser'sproducts, or travels near a section of the store selected by theadvertiser.

The system may also provide notifications to users when they are in thestore or approaching an exit reminding them to purchase items based onthe user's previous purchase history or based on the other items on thelist. For example, if a user purchases a particular item most visits tothe store, the system may remind the user to purchase the item, even ifthe item is not on the current list. Additionally, if a user ispurchasing items that are usually associated with other items (i.e.spaghetti noodles and sauce), the system may prompt the user to purchasethe item, as it is frequently purchased in conjunction with the item onthe user's list.

In another embodiment, the user adds potential purchases to an onlineshopping cart via a mobile application, a businesses' website, or othertype of application, and the shopping cart list is saved to their mobiledevice or otherwise associated with the user. The user may then travelto a brick-and-mortar store to purchase or pick up the items. This storemay be one located nearest the user or one selected by the user. Once instore, the user is directed to the items using wireless RFID tags orsimilar wireless transponders on the items themselves, or on the store'sshelves (e.g., a price tag on a shelf that is associated with multipleitems). When pinged with a wireless transmission, the transponders (e.g.RFID tags) emit a unique identification code, which allows the itemslocation to be calculated relative to the user. The transponder data iscollected by the user's mobile device or by an in store system. The datacollected from the transponders can then be used to locate thetransponder(s) relative to the user's mobile device (e.g. Smartphone,smartwatch, Google Glass, etc), and items located within the store. Thisallows for the system, in this embodiment, to dynamically map thelocation of the items within the store as the user navigates the store.Thus, the item's locations do not need to be known prior to the userentering the store.

Alternatively, the store may also wirelessly transmit the physicallayout (e.g. floor plan) of the store to the user's device upon arrival.After receiving the layout data, the user will be shown the layout ofthe store on his mobile device. Then the system detects the identifieditem(s) location(s), by pinging the transponders associated with theidentified items. Thereafter, the mobile application will plot the itemlocations on the layout map, and display the map with item locations onthe user's mobile device. The store's system also tracks the user'slocation, relative to the transponders and displays the user's currentposition on the layout map. The user may then gather the desired itemsand proceed to checkout, as described in the previous embodiment.

By using multiple re-programmable wireless location transponders, thestore may stock items in various locations. For example, a chain storein one town may stock items in different locations than another store,in another town, and using the above system, would not need tofrequently update its layout on the online services, as it would have toif it manually plotted item locations. as an added benefit, some typesof transponders (e.g. RFID tags) can be encoded with a UPC associatedwith the item. The store can then, replace the UPC encoded in thetransponder with the UPC of the new item to be placed on the shelf, ifthe item is discontinued or moved. Thus, allowing the store to re-usetransponders, and saving the store the cost of replacing them.

In any previous embodiment, and also in other possible embodiments,store may use any wireless system (e.g. Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) thatlocates the user via signal strength, latency or any equivalent system.The possible wireless systems include WiFi, cellular, GPS, andBluetooth. Thus, the store is allowed flexibility in selecting thewireless system which best conforms to the local conditions andregulations on wireless systems.

Measuring the signal response time allows the linear distance betweenthe device and the transmitter to be calculated, by any appropriatemethod (e.g. Propagation delay based positioning). Once this distance isdetermined, the location of the device may be found using trilaterationor any equivalent method (e.g. triangulation, multilateratiom, etc.).

In any previous embodiment, and also in other possible embodiments, thelocation system may be augmented and streamlined by including aself-checkout feature. In one possible embodiment, NFC (near fieldcommunications) or an equivalent may be used to streamline the checkoutprocess for prepaid customers. While shopping, the customer's mobiledevice scans and logs each item placed in the customer's basket, viaNFC, and transmits a log of the items to the store's checkout kiosks. Asthe customer approaches the checkout kiosk, the kiosk scans the contentsof the customer's basket, using NFC. Then the mobile application or thekiosk compares the contents of the basket to customer's original list,and the log. Then the system requests further funds for any items thatwere not pre-purchased, and prepares a paper or electronic receipt forthe customer upon receipt of the funds. All fund transfers may becompleted from the mobile device, so that the customer is not requiredto interact with the kiosk, unless they desire to do so. In practicethis system would allow a prepaid customer to enter the store, collectthe items and then leave without ever needing to interact with a clerkor self-checkout kiosk. The system will already have a record of theorder, since it has been prepaid. The system may either recognize theshopper based on a unique identifier associated with their wirelessdevice, or the shopper may use a kiosk to enter an order number, accountnumber, or other unique identifier associated with the shopper or listof purchased items.

In any previous embodiment, and also in other possible embodiments, NFC(near field communications) or an equivalent may be used to streamlinethe checkout process for prepaid customers, and may also be used forsecurity purposes. In this embodiment, NFC reader terminals are placednear merchant exit points. These terminals may consist of multiple NFCreaders distributed within a terminal structure to allow for thescanning of all items within the cart simultaneously. NFC tags areaffixed to all items within the store. When users place their baskets orshopping carts on/in the NFC checkout terminal, the NFC readers on/inthe terminal scans all items present, and forms a list. This list may beused to generate an invoice total for the user to pay at this point.Alternatively, the generated list may be cross-referenced with a list ofitems that the user has pre-paid for either online, with a mobileapplication, or other suitable pre-payment method. If any of the scanneditems have not been pre-paid, an invoice for these items will begenerated.

This offers flexibility for the user; additional in-store items may bepurchased in addition to the pre-pay items without having to alter theirpre-payment amount. It also provides a layer of security toself-checkout style transactions; if a user attempts to leave the storewith items that have not been pre-paid, the system may alert theappropriate security personnel or systems to prevent shoplifting. Ifthere are items on a user's shopping list that have not been scanned,the system may also remind the user at this point that items have notbeen picked up. The system may generate a physical receipt after allitems have been scanned/paid for, or an electronic receipt may be sentto the user's mobile device via the mobile application, e-mail, or othersuitable means of electronic communication.

The process may be further streamlined by offering Online pre-paymentfor streamlined checkout in-store. The user gathers all items on his orher list, runs the basket or shopping cart through the NFC checkoutterminal, which scans all items and confirms that they have been paidfor and that no items have been forgotten, and then the user receives areceipt and exits the store. Pre-payment may be performed in advance onthe system's web application, within the mobile application, or at thestore before picking up any of the items, for example, at a kiosk at themerchant's entrance, which may be advantageous due to checkout locationsfrequently being bottleneck points within merchant locations.

The pre-payments may also be processed using the mobile applicationwhile in the store. As a user selects items, the user may use theirmobile device's NFC reader or barcode scanning features to scan the itemand immediately pay. This enables the user to use the NFC checkoutterminal without having to process payments at the register.

The flexibility of payment options facilitates enhanced user experiencewhile simultaneously providing for the elimination of potential shopperbottlenecks by providing payment options before the shopper enters thestore, at the entrance to the store, while shoppers are picking up itemswithin the store, and finally at the checkout counters located near theexit.

A further refinement of the system allows for the use of an intelligentlist generation and planning system. Even when a shopper plans a trip toa merchant in advance and compiles a list, needed items not on the listmay be forgotten. As such, a system that intelligently predicts andsuggests items to the user is advantageous.

For example, in one embodiment, a user having cereal may additionallyrequire milk. The system can provide this suggestion based on a numberof factors. Item pairing and combination may be done by observing userpurchases; if users who buy item X usually also buy item Y, the systemcan suggest either item when the other is present on a user list.Additionally, if a specific user usually purchases one item inconjunction with others, but the pattern is not necessarily expressedacross all users of the system, the system may provide targetedsuggestions for complimentary items to the specific user. The system mayalso be instructed to recognize task-based item compliments. Forexample, if a user has added a number of items typically purchased fortravelling, the system may suggest other items that may be useful fortraveling, such as travel-sized items. Similarly, the system may takeinto account the date or time of purchase. If a user has added a schoolsupply to a list surrounding the beginning of a school year, the systemmay recommend other commonly purchased school supply items. If a user ispurchasing eggs in the morning, the system may recommend other popularbreakfast items, and if a user is purchasing dinner ingredients in theevening, the system may recommend complimentary wine or other beverage.

By observing purchases from a large number of users over time, thesystem is capable of learning shopping habits and providingrecommendations with increased accuracy. This also offers merchants andadvertisers with a number of advantages. Merchants can query the systemand observe user purchasing habits. Thus providing the merchant with theinformation necessary to make changes to in-stock supplies.Additionally, because the location of each item is known, merchants mayalso change the location of items within the store to increase thelikelihood of impulse purchases, as well as optimize user routes withinthe store to either increase or decrease time spent in the store, or todecrease user frustration due to in-store travel times between variousitems. By knowing the travel times, the system itself may alsointelligently re-route users to reduce congestion.

Additionally, the system can be configured to track users across severalstores; using Wi-Fi based location services for pinpointing a user'slocation indoors, and for plotting that user's location on a layout mapof the merchant's store. In environments with multiple merchants withinan indoor space, for example an indoor shopping mall, the system, in anypossible embodiment, may be adapted to transition the map from onemerchant's in-store layout to an interior of the shopping mall, allowingfor the navigation of the shopping mall without the need for anadditional mapping application. Additionally, if the other merchantshave subscribed to the system, the application can seamlessly transitionto another merchant's in-store layout when a user enters the store. Inan outdoor multi-seller environment, for example, an outdoor shopping,“strip,” or outlet mall, a similar technique may be used. In an outdoorenvironment, traditional GPS and Wi-Fi based location services may beused. Finally, in another embodiment, the system may also be used toconnect geographically distributed merchants that subscribe to theservice (i.e., merchants that are not at the same physical location). Insuch a system, the application may transition from merchant in-storelayout to a traditional turn-by-turn road direction system, or may alsoprovide related walking, cycling, or public transportation services.

These multi-seller system embodiments allow for route planning acrossmultiple merchants. Users may select items for purchase at multiplemerchants in advance, and the system will not only optimize the in-storeroutes, but can also optimize the user's travel between stores, eitherinside the original structure or between structures. The waypointplanning may be achieved using a number of different variables, such as:shortest path, travel time due to traffic, travel method, temperature(e.g., buy frozen or hot items last to eliminate waste), or timesensitivity (e.g., store closing, sale, or congestion periods).

As a final illustrative possible embodiment, the system for indoor routeplanning and tracking includes a user interface, which may be displayedon any mobile device, including smartphones, portable computers,portable terminal, or any other type of mobile computer. It alsoincludes, a structure map database, which contains a structure map of anidentified structure, such as a store, and an item database containingitem information, such as prices and optionally locations within thestore. Item selection is done via an item selection system, wherein, auser may select an item from the item information database using theuser interface. The item selection system is operable to allow a user toidentify a structure (store) and at least one item for plotting on a mapof the structure.

The map of the structure may be retrieved from the structure mapdatabase, and the item information for each said identified item isretrieved from said item database. Next, an item summary view presentsthe identified structure and identified items to the user via the userinterface. Then the system determines the user's location via a userlocation determination system, which is comprised of a plurality ofwireless transceivers, which may be WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, or anyequivalent, operable to transmit wireless signals, wherein the locationof said transceivers within the identified structure is known, awireless device associated with said user, and user locationdetermination logic operable to perform a method for identifying thecurrent position of said user within the identified structure.

The user location determination logic performs the following method foridentifying the current position of said user within said identifiedstructure. The system receives from each of the wireless transceivers auser device latency value, wherein the user device latency value isdetermined based on signals received by said wireless transceivers fromsaid user device. Next, the system receives from the user device aplurality of transceiver latency values, and determines an approximatecurrent location for the user within said identified structure basedupon at least one of the user device latency values, and at least one ofthe transceiver latency values.

Alternatively, the user location determination logic may perform thefollowing method for identifying the current position of the user withinsaid identified structure. The system receives from each of the wirelesstransceivers a user device signal strength value, wherein the usersignal strength values are determined based on signals received by thewireless transceivers from the user device.

Upon receiving from the user device a plurality of transceiver signalstrength values, which are determined based on signals received from theplurality of wireless transceivers, the system determines an approximatecurrent location for the user within the identified structure based uponat least one of the user device signal strength values, and at least oneof the transceiver signal strength values.

After determining the user's location, the system determines the routeusing a route planning system, wherein the route planning systemdetermines a route based upon the current user location, item location,and structure map. The route planning system is comprised of a routeplanning logic operable to perform the following method for determininga route. Identifying an item location reference for each identified itemwithin the identified structure based upon item location informationretrieved from the item database, and identifying an origin reference,which may be an approximate current location for the user or an entranceof the identified structure. Next, it identifies a terminationreference, which may be an approximate current location for the user oran entrance of the identified structure. Then it plots the item locationreferences, the origin reference, and the termination reference on themap. Next it determines a route between the origin reference, the itemlocation references, and the termination reference, wherein the routebegins at the origin reference and ends at the termination reference,and the route passes through all the location references.

The system also tracks the user along the route using a route trackingsystem. The route tracking system performs the following method. Itpresents a map view, representing the map, the route, and theapproximate current user location on the user interface. Then it updatesthe user interface, upon detection that the user's approximate currentlocation has changed, to represent the changed the user's approximatecurrent location within the identified structure on the map; and the mapview is capable of being manipulated by the user to alter at least onecharacteristic of the map view.

Additionally, at least one short-range wireless checkout transceiver maybe located at a predetermined termination reference. At least oneshort-range item transceiver is associated with at least one identifieditem. Then, if at least one identified item is located within a user'sshopping cart, the system's processor is operable to, upon detectionthat the user is approaching the termination reference, to perform thefollowing method. First it receives item identifiers from the checkouttransceivers, wherein the item identifiers are received by the checkouttransceivers from the item transceivers using short-range wirelesscommunications. Then it identifies each predetermined in-cart item basedupon the received item identifiers, and determines a retail value forall in-cart items. Next, it determines whether the user has pre-paid forany in-cart items and calculates a total purchase price based upon theretail value of all in-cart items, and whether the user has pre-paid forany in-cart items. Finally, it processes a payment from the user for thetotal purchase price.

The following method is one illustrative way for the location system tooperate. First the system receives from a user device a list ofidentified items, containing at least one identified item, wherein theidentified item has an associated item location, which specifies theidentified item location within a structure. Next, the system plots theitem location on a map of the structure and determines a user locationbased upon latency values associated with a plurality of wirelesstransceivers located at predetermined locations within the structure andwith the user device. Alternatively, it may determine the user locationbased upon signal strength values associated with a plurality ofwireless transceivers located at predetermined locations within thestructure and with the user device. It then receives user locationupdates in response to a detection that the user location has changed,wherein the location updates include an updated user location. Then itdetermines an origin location reference, which may be an approximatecurrent location for the user or an entrance of the identifiedstructure. Next, it determines a termination reference, which may be anapproximate current location for the user or an entrance of theidentified structure. Then it plans a route for display on the userdevice, wherein the route begins at the origin location reference,passes through every item location, and ends at the termination locationreference. The order in which the route passes through the itemlocations is organized such that the resulting route is optimized basedupon any combination of the group consisting of total route distance,approximate traversal time, characteristics of the identified items, andadvertising considerations.

As the user follows the route, the system presents a follow-alongdisplay including the map, the route, and an icon representing the userlocation on the user device. It then updates the follow-along display toreflect the updated user location upon reception of the user locationupdates, and alters the follow-along display in response to thereception of user commands, which may be any type of input includingmovement or non-movement.

As the user nears the end of the route, the system then receives itemidentifiers from one or more checkout transceivers, wherein the itemidentifiers are received by the checkout transceivers from itemtransceivers associated with the identified items using short-rangewireless communications, and it identifies in-cart items based upon thereceived item identifiers. Then it determines a retail value for allin-cart items, by determining whether the user has pre-paid for anyin-cart items and calculating a total purchase price based upon theretail value of all in-cart items and whether the user has pre-paid forany in-cart items. It then processes a payment from the user for thetotal purchase price.

The above summary of the present location system is not intended torepresent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present locationsystem. Additional features and benefits of the present location systemare apparent from the detailed description, and figures below, to thoseskilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an active location system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a passive location system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of user application advertising.

FIG. 4 is a possible floor plan for a user location system.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the online purchasing program.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the online purchasing program.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the route planning system.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a fixed item location mapping system.

FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a dynamic item location mapping system.

FIG. 8 is an example of location determination via trilateration.

FIG. 9A is an overview of the components of the simple checkout system.

FIG. 9B is an over of the simple checkout area.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of user device in operation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the map view switching system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an intelligent list generation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present location system is a method and apparatus for the use ofpurchasing a product through a mobile device, and being directed to theproduct in the physical world. In the following description, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description ofembodiments of the location system. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art, that the embodiments of the present location systemmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well known features have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the present location system.

Embodiments of the present location system illustrate gathering positioninformation of mobile and stationary entities and using the positioninformation to display the user's location within an environment, whilstsimultaneously displaying targeted advertising and tracking user'spurchases. Embodiments of the present location system use a plurality ofsignal transmitting devices and/or a plurality of signal gatheringdevices to gather position information of devices, objects and persons.

FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate one embodiment of the location system.The process begins as illustrated in FIG. 5. At block 500, the userapplication sends a data request to the central server, which returnsthe requested information to the user application at block 510. Then,using the list data from the server, at block 520 the user applicationdisplays a list of products from which the user can select the desireditems. At block 530, the list of selected items is transmitted back tothe central server, where the list is compared to the list of availableitems, at block 540. If the items are not available for purchase, theuser is informed at block 550. If the items are available for purchase,the list is logged by the central server at block 560. Then, at block570, the location data for the items is acquired as shown in FIG. 7.

At block 710, the items are located in the store at known locations,relative to the transmitters. Then, at block 720, the item's locationsare entered into the central server. At block 730, the user applicationrequests the location data, which is transmitted to the user applicationby the central server at block 740. The item location is then plotted onthe user application map by the user application, at block 750.Returning to FIG. 5, at block 580, the user is queried whether the userwishes to submit payment online. If the user wishes does not wish to payonline, this preference is logged in the central server and antitheftprotocols are activated, at blocks 590 and 501, respectively. If theuser wishes to pay online, the record of payment is logged in thecentral server, at block 511. Then, at block 521, the user is directedto go to the store by the user application. Once the user arrives at thestore, the user is directed to the selected items as shown in FIG. 6.

At block 600, the user application requests the item list data from thecentral server, which is received at block 610. The user applicationthen requests the location data as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustratinga signal gathering device being used to find the position informationneeded by the user application. At block 100, a signal gathering deviceis used to find the entity. At block 110, the signal gathering devicesends a signal. At block 120, if the entity is not present, or withinrange of the signal gathering device, then at block 130 no return signalis received by the signal gathering device. If at block 120 the entityis present or within range, then at block 140, the signal transmittingdevice on the entity returns a signal to the signal gathering deviceindicating the presence of the entity. At block 150, the signalgathering device calculates the position of the entity, and at block 160this information is forwarded to the user application, which is receivedby the user application at block 630, of FIG. 6. Using the receiveddata, the user application determines the closest item to the user'scurrent location, at block 640. Then, at block 650, the closest item isused as the starting point from which the route is plotted. The userapplication then displays the route, at block 660. The user applicationthen determines if the closest item is the last item on the item list,at block 670. If the item is not the last item on the item list, theuser application then updates the user's location, at blocks 680, 690.If the item is the last item on the item list, the user applicationplots the route to the checkout lanes, at block 601, which is displayedby the user application at block 611. As the user approaches thecheckout lanes, the list of items is compared to the items currently inthe user's basket, at block 551, shown in FIG. 5. The user is thenalerted by the user application, if any items on the list are notpresent in the basket, at block 571. After all the items are in thebasket, the user application checks the list of items present in thebasket against the list of items that the user has pre-paid for, atblock 581. If the user has pre-paid for all of the items, the sale datais logged by the user application and transmitted to the central server,at block 591, and an electronic receipt is sent to the user, at block502. If the user did not pre-pay for all or any of the items in thebasket, the user application directs the user to a checkout kiosk, atblock 512. If the user bypasses the checkout kiosk, with paying, thesecurity protocols go into effect, at block 532. If the user submits thepayment information at the checkout kiosk, the payment information istransmitted to the central server at block 542. Then, the sale data islogged by the central server, at block 591, and an electronic receipt issent to the user, at block 502.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a room 400, containing RFIDs 420, WiFitransmitters 410, the signal gathering device 430, store shelves 440,and checkout stands 450. The query signal is sent from the signalgathering device 430 and is the responses signals are sent from both theRFIDs 420 and the WiFi transmitters 410. Once received the signalgathering device, which also contains the user application, displays theuser's location on a digital map representing the room 400. The userapplication then displays advertising based on the user's location inthe room 400 and the user's proximity to the store shelves 440. All ofwhich is done as shown in FIGS. 1 through 7.

FIGS. 1, 3, 4 illustrate another possible embodiment of the locationsystem, with FIG. 1 illustrating a signal gathering device being used tofind the position information needed by the user application. At block100, a signal gathering device is used to find the entity. At block 110,the signal gathering device sends a signal. At block 120, if the entityis not present, or within range of the signal gathering device, then atblock 130 no return signal is received by the signal gathering device.If at block 120 the entity is present or within range, then at block140, the signal transmitting device on the entity returns a signal tothe signal gathering device indicating the presence of the entity. Atblock 150, the signal gathering device calculates the position of theentity, and at block 160 this information is forwarded to the userapplication, which begins the process as illustrated in FIG. 3. The userapplication receives the location data at block 300. At block 310, thelocation data from the signal gathering device is correlated to theapproximate location on the user application map display and is thendisplayed at block 320. At block 330 the location data is used, inconjunction with targeted advertising data, to produce a list ofrelevant advertisements for display. The advertisements are thendisplayed at block 340. At block 350, the user application sends for newlocation data, if movement is sensed or sends for new location dataafter sufficient time has passed, if no movement is sensed, at block360.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a room 400, containing RFIDs 420, WiFitransmitters 410, the signal gathering device 430, store shelves 440,and checkout stands 450. The query signal is sent from the signalgathering device 430 and is the responses signals are sent from both theRFIDs 420 and the WiFi transmitters 410. Once received the signalgathering device, which also contains the user application, displays theuser's location on a digital map representing the room 400. The userapplication then displays advertising based on the user's location inthe room 400 and the user's proximity to the store shelves 440.

FIG. 8 Illustrates how, In one embodiment, trilateration may be used tocalculate the position of the user. Transmitters are located at pointsP1, P2, and P3. By using the measured distance from each transmitter,r1, r2, r3, the device makes three circles, C1, C2, C3, which have themeasured distance r1, r2, r3 from one transmitter to the device as theradius. P1 and r1, describe circle C1, P2 and r2, describe circle C2,and P3 and r3, describe circle C3. The distance d between transmittersP1 and P2 along the x-axis is known. The distance i between transmittersP1 and P3 along the x-axis is known. The distance j between transmittersP1 and P3 along the y-axis is known. Or stated another way transmitterP1 is location at the origin (0,0) of the coordinate system, transmitterP2 is located at (d,0), and P3 is located at (i,j). The point at whichcircles C1, C2, and C3 intersect is the location of the user device UD1.The following equations, in conjunction with FIG. 8, describe thelocation of a device relative to three transmitters of known location,with the user device UD1, being located at (x,y,z).

$x = \frac{r_{1}^{2} + r_{2}^{2} + d^{2}}{2d}$$y = {\frac{r_{1}^{2} - r_{3}^{2} + i^{2} + j^{2}}{2j} - {\frac{i}{j}\left( \frac{r_{1}^{2} + r_{1}^{2} + d^{2}}{2d} \right)}}$$z = {\pm \sqrt{r_{1}^{2} - x^{2} - y^{2}}}$

As the user device UD1 may be located above or below the x-y plane, foreach dimension of accuracy, n+1 transmitters of known location areneeded. Thus, to locate a device on a 2-D map, three transmitters arerequired. Once located, the user's mobile device UD1 will display thelayout of the store 400, and the mobile application will plot the itemlocations and user location UD1 on the store layout map. Using thisinformation the optimal route through the store may be calculated anddisplayed on the user's mobile device.

FIG. 9A illustrates a possible embodiment of the location system using asimple checkout system. The Product has been affixed with a wireless tag980, such as, in two non-limiting examples, NFC and RFID. The wirelesstag 980 emits a passive signal that uniquely identifies the product towhich it is affixed. Around the POS (Point of Sale) terminal 930 arewireless transceivers 910 arranged such that the wireless transceivers910 can receive the signal from the wireless tag 980. These wirelesstransmitters 910 are coupled to the POS terminal 930, which is connectedto the server 940, which contains the data associated with the products,customers, and transactions. When a customer places the product 900containing a tag in the proper location at the POS terminal 930, at acheckout, for example, the POS terminal 930 will receive the uniquelyidentifying signal via the wireless transceivers 910, the unique signalhaving been received from the wireless transceivers 910 from thewireless tag 980. The POS terminal 930 will cross-reference the signalwith data contained within the POS terminal 930 or the Server 940 todetermine which product 900 has been scanned. The POS terminal 930 isalso configured to identify whether the product has been pre-paid for bythe customer by referencing payment data 920 located on the server 940.If any unpaid items remain, the POS terminal 930 can add the price ofthe Product 900 to the overall total at checkout, without the need forscanning barcodes or manually entering the item.

FIG. 9B depicts another possible embodiment of the simple checkoutsystem requiring even less effort by the consumer and checkout employee.As shown in FIG. 9B, the customer navigates his shopping cart 960,basket or equivalent, to a designated simple checkout area. The simplecheckout area 990 is configured to include scan towers 950. The scantowers 950 include a number of transceivers 910, which are arranged insuch a way as to be able to scan and distinguish a number of itemswithin the shopping cart 960. The products 970 in the shopping cart 960emit their unique signal, which is received by the Transceivers 910located on the Scan Towers 950. This information is then passed along tothe POS terminal 930 or other checkout system, which communicates withthe store's computer system and server 940 to complete the transaction.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the system switching between views as theuser's position changes. In FIG. 10, as the user's position 1030approaches a known shopping center, or store, 1020, the user's mobiledevice 1010 displays an outdoor map 1090 with the user's location 1030,relative to any known shopping centers 1020 and any unknown buildings1040. Once the user enters the known shopping center 1020, the user'smobile device 1010 displays an indoor map 1011 of the shopping center1020. The indoor map 1011 includes the user's location 1030, theentrance to the store 1070, the checkout locations 1080, and the shelveswith relevant items 1060. Any other obstacles, shown here as shelves,1012 are also displayed. The user is guided through the store by a route1050 displayed on the indoor map 1011. The route 1050, guides the userthrough the store to all relevant shelves 1060, where the desired itemsare located. The route 1050 is automatically updated as the user'sposition 1030 changes, with the termination point 1080 of the route 1050being the check out area in this example. The termination point 1080 mayalso be the exit or entrance 1070 of the known shopping center 1020.Alternatively, if the user enters an unknown building 1040, the user'smobile device 1010 continues to display the outdoor map 1090.

FIG. 11 illustrates one possible embodiment of the map view switchingoperation. The process begins as shown, with the application requestinguser location information at block 1110. The application then displaysthe user location on the user's mobile device at block 1120. Next, theapplication queries whether the user's location has changed since thelast request at block 1140. If not, the application waits at block 1130,then begins again at block 1110. If the user has moved, the applicationqueries whether the user is now located within a known mapped buildingat block 1160. If not, then the application displays the user's locationat block 1151, then returns to block 1110. If the user is in a knownbuilding, the application attempts to connect to the building's wirelessnetwork at block 1170. It then display's the indoor map of the buildingon the user's mobile device at block 1180. Next, the applicationrequests route information at block 1190, and displays the route on themobile device at block 1111. Once the route is displayed, theapplication requests the user's location at block 1161 and then querieswhether the user location has changed at block 1121. If not, theapplication waits at block 1171 before returning to block 1161 andrequesting the user location information. If the user's location haschanged, the updated user location is displayed on the user's mobiledevice at block 1131. The application then queries whether the user'slocation is the terminus of the route at block 1141. If so, then theapplication waits at block 1181, before returning to block 1110.

FIG. 12 illustrates one possible embodiment of the intelligent listgeneration process for the location system. The process begins as shown,with the location system requesting the user's list information at block1200. Once the system receives the user's list information at block1210, one unique item, i.e. one item type, is selected from the list atblock 1220. Then at block 1230, the system determines if the item hasother item commonly associated with it in normal use, i.e. spaghettisauces and noodles. If the item does not, the system selects a differentitem from the list at block 1211.

If the item does, the system then determines if the associated items arealready on the user's list at block 1240. If the associated items are onthe list, the system selects a different item from the list at block1211. If the associated items are not on the list, the systemdetermines, whether the user has previously purchased the item andassociated items together in the past at block 1250. If the user haspurchased the item and associated items together in the past, the systemdisplays a reminder on the user's mobile device at block 1260. If theuser has not purchased them together, the system displays a notificationof the associated items on the user's mobile device at block 1270.

Next, the system queries the user whether the user wishes to purchasethe associated items at block 1280. If the user wishes to purchase theassociated items, the system adds the associated items to the lost atblock 1290 and then a new item is selected from the lost at block 1211.If the user does not wish to purchase the item, the system selects a newitem from the user list at block 1211.

Once the system has selected a new item from the list, the systemdetermines if the item has previously been selected. If the item has notbeen previously selected, the system returns to block 1230. If the itemhas previously been selected, the system determines if all the uniqueitems have been selected from the user list at block 1231. If all theunique items have not been selected, the system selects a new item fromthe list at block 1211. If all the unique items have been selected, theintelligent list selection program ends.

Numerous modifications to the features described and shown are possible.Accordingly, the described and illustrated embodiments are to beconstrued as merely exemplary of the inventive concepts expressed hereinand addressed in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An item location system comprising: an applicationconfigured to run on a wireless device, wherein said application isfurther configured to display a user interface to a user of saidwireless device; a structure map database containing a structure map ofat least one identified structure; an item database containing iteminformation including item locations within said structure; an itemselection interface configured to allow said user to select an item fromsaid item information database using said user interface; a routetracking system comprising said wireless device and a plurality ofwireless transceivers connected to a network, wherein said routetracking system is configured to track said wireless device's location;a route planning system configured to generate a route including astarting location, at least one item location corresponding to one ormore items selected by said user via said user interface of saidapplication.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: saidapplication is configured to present a display of the route, whereinsaid display Includes a graphical representation corresponding to saiditem location references.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein:said identified structure is a warehouse.
 4. An item location systemcomprising: an application configured to run on a wireless device,wherein said application is further configured to display a userinterface to a user of said wireless device; a location map databasecontaining a location map of a location with at least one structure; astructure map database containing a structure map of said structure; anitem database containing item information including item locationswithin said structure; an item selection interface configured to allowsaid user to select an item from said item information database usingsaid user interface; a route tracking system comprising said wirelessdevice and a plurality of wireless transceivers connected to a network,wherein said route tracking system is configured to track said wirelessdevice's location; a route planning system configured to generate aroute including a starting location, at least one item locationcorresponding to one or more items selected by said user via said userinterface of said application.